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Facial Eczema Risk Bulletin

Welcome to our Facial Eczema Spore Count Bulletin for 2025 – this article will be updated each week, so please revisit to see what the spore count is in your area.

Facial Eczema Spore counts 16 May 2025

Shannon

Ihakara

Foxton

Moutoa

Waitarere

Levin

Ohau

Manakau

Otaki

Te Horo

5,000 010,0005,000     

Please Note: a ‘0’ count indicates that there were no spores found in the sample. If a sample isn’t taken that week, this is indicated by a dash or ‘no sample’. 

What is a toxic spore level? It is best not to use absolute levels, as stock grazing pasture with spore counts as low as 20,000-40,000 can sustain liver damage. More important considerations are rate of spore count rise, prevailing weather conditions, and grazing intensity at the time. Toxin effects on the liver are cumulative. Play it safe – start prevention as soon as spores are detected.

This is our last bulletin for the season. Spore counts have dropped to safer levels in sampled sites this week. If you have been testing your own paddocks and are still getting results of 20,000sp/gm or above it is advisable to maintain zinc cover until spore counts have dropped.

Spore counting is $35 (incl GST) per sample, dropping to $28 for multiple samples. For instructions on how to cut grass see HERE 

  • Alpacas – Alpacas are affected by facial eczema at low counts of 10,000 and should be protected in all areas.
  • Bolusing or oral drenching – Due to the cumulative effect of spores on the liver even areas with low counts should consider zinc protection.
  • Water dosing (cattle) – All sites that have started their zinc should continue according to their treatment plan. Look to increase every 5-7 days by a quarter. Avoid increasing the amount on very hot days. Commercial properties at all other sites should consider doing pre-zinc blood tests, if not already been done, before spore counts rise.
  • Pasture spraying – This needs to be carried out early, before the counts rise. It is best to bring in some grass to see what your counts are doing on your farm. The spray will slow the development of the fungus but must be done before the counts reach 20,000. Pasture needs to be green and growing. Pasture will be safe for 4-6 weeks after.
  • Feeding a crop – Crops are generally lower in spore counts.
  • Breeding – Facial eczema tolerance can be selected for using rams or bulls. These tolerant animals can then leave progeny with some tolerance to facial eczema. This is a long-term plan.

 

Click here for further advice on facial eczema prevention.

If you have any questions pop into the clinic or give us a call on 06 368 2891 (Extension 1 for the farm team)